Debt: The First 5,000 Years

by David Graeber

For centuries, we’ve been told that money replaced barter to make trade easier. But what if that story is a myth? In this groundbreaking book, David Graeber explores how debt, not money, has been the true foundation of economies for millennia. From ancient Mesopotamian credit systems to modern banking, he uncovers how financial power structures have shaped civilization—and who truly benefits from them. A must-read for anyone questioning the roots of wealth, power, and inequality.